Mar, I'm sorry you're having a hard time!

I turned 50 in November and the only symptom I see so far is shorter/less regular cycles. On the internet and elsewhere, "age 50" seems to be a shorthand for "menopausal," but it's not hitting here yet. I know it will happen sometime (obviously), but it's a weird waiting game. It's not as if my periods are useful anymore--I could kid myself until age 45 or so that I was still of childbearing age.

Are women who reached puberty late (I did--I was almost 15 when I had my first period) also supposed to reach menopause late?